Trial Set To Begin For Ex-Mass. House Speaker

Former Massachusetts House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi is set to go on trial in a bid-rigging scheme.

DiMasi and two others are charged in a scheme to rig lucrative state contracts for the software company Cognos in exchange for payments. DiMasi is accused of pocketing $57,000.

DiMasi and co-defendants Joseph McDonough and Richard Vitale have pleaded not guilty.

Joseph Lally, a fourth man charged in the scheme, cut a deal with prosecutors and is expected to testify against the others.

The list of potential witnesses in the case reads like a Who's Who in Massachusetts politics, including Gov. Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray and DiMasi's successor, House Speaker Robert DeLeo.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin Tuesday in federal court in Boston. Opening statements are not expected until next week.

This program aired on April 26, 2011. The audio for this program is not available.